Hartsville police investigate second fatal shooting of 2009
Published: October 22, 2009
Updated: October 23, 2009
HARTSVILLE — Police are looking for suspects in the fatal shooting of a Hartsville man Thursday morning.
Raheen Robinson, 29, was found lying in a yard in the 400 block of Jasper Avenue in Hartsville about 9 a.m., according to a release from Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee and information from Hartsville Police Chief Tim Kemp.
Robinson was pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m., Hardee said. The body has been sent to Newberry for an autopsy.
Police have not identified any suspects in the crime and a motive isn’t clear.
It’s the second fatal shooting in the city this year.
Four suspects were arrested in connection with a fatal shooting the night of May 31 that happened after a basketball game at the Landmark Inn on South Fourth Street in Hartsville.
Gregory Lamont Benjamin, 23, 3117 Silverpine Lane, Darlington, is charged with murder, grand larceny, misprison of a felony and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the case, Darlington County Detention Center booking reports show.
Brittany Shantell Benjamin, 20, of 2624 Marcus Valley Drive, Hartsville, and Raynard Allen Jenkins, 28, are each charged with misprison of a felony.
U.S. Marshals arrested 17-year-old Darenzo Trevon “Ghost” Graham on June 6 in Baltimore. Graham was wanted on a murder charge in connection with the shooting. The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office was making arrangements to bring him back to South Carolina on Monday.
A group of men were playing basketball in a court behind the inn when they got into an argument, Kemp said in a previous interview. One of the men then pulled out a gun and began shooting.
One of the victims, 25-year-old Forrest Lenn Royall Jr. of Hartsville, died June 1 from a gunshot wound he suffered in the melee.
The other victim, identified as 24-year-old Michael Leon Jefferson, 24, of Hartsville, was taken to a Florence hospital for additional treatment.
Police responding to the shooting also saw marijuana through a window of one room at the hotel and, as result, secured a search warrant to seize it, Kemp said.
A vehicle also was stolen during the same time frame, the chief said.
Darlington County Detention Center booking reports show Graham had been granted bond Nov. 13 for a charge of assault with intent to kill.
Hartsville police said Graham is accused in that case of shooting at a man through his home on Eighth Street in Hartsville. Investigators had to search to find him after the incident and later located him in Chesterfield County.
The May 31 case remains under investigation.
Anyone with information any of these crimes is asked to call the police department at (843) 383-3013 or the state Crime Stoppers hotline at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.
Reader Reactions
First of all, my condolences to Raheem’s family and I am so sorry that he left his life at such a young age. I thought the news on his death was very shallow! The news reported her only seems to talk abut another incident and not the death of this 29 year old. This article does not say that it was “gang related”. This artile does not say much at all! I do hope that the person(s) responsible responsible for taking this young man’s life will be facing justice and will receive justice!
I see the press still printing lies saying Lenn got shoty over some basketball game. NOT TRUE!
wyldeone6, you make some VERy broad assumptions. First of all, this article mentions nothing to do with gangs. What makes you think that this death is gang related? Just because the victim was a young black man? Secondly, how do you know what the police are doing. They tend NOT to post everything they do on websites. Although you are entitled to your opinion, I would hope that you would temper it with some facts…
The Hartsville police department should step up and stop this gang violence. Will this one go unchecked like the rest of the gang actions in this small town. We have no room for this type thing in our town! It must be stopped. If they can not do it we as a community should find people that can!
Advertisement